2022 AT4 Gasser Review

[NaturallyAspirated]

Thank you JR and MTU for your input. I appreciate it.

[ExYukon]

So how different does the ride feel on the highway, comparing a 2500 AT4 to the non-lifted trims?

 

We test drove a 2022 2500 4x4 gas Denali recently, and my wife declared the ride too harsh (the tires were at 60/70, which I believe matches the door jamb label).  We then test drove a couple 1500 trucks with Max Trailering, and they were much better--no surprise there.  We could have test driven a 2500 AT4 but did not, because we don't need the off-highway capability and for us, the height of even the Denali is an issue (we are on the short side).

 

We are looking to replace a 2010 6.2L Yukon, that serves as the tow vehicle for our 7000 pound travel trailer, and then as the daily driver when we are at our destination, which is four to five months out of the year.  The Yukon has done the job, but with some very strong weight distribution needed to keep the rear axle under it's rating.   (The trailer is quite front heavy)

 

We'd like to go with a truck this time, with more capability (mainly payload) than the Yukon.  1500s with Max Trailering are almost impossible to find, while my local dealer has 2500 AT4s on the lot.

 

Would it be worthwhile to test drive a 2500 AT4  to see what the ride is like?

[NaturallyAspirated]

I'm no expert but I believe you could go with the standard 2500 and switch out the rear spring pack to something softer and add airbags. In fact, I plan to do this myself!

[Random]

13 hours ago, ExYukon said:

So how different does the ride feel on the highway, comparing a 2500 AT4 to the non-lifted trims?

 

We test drove a 2022 2500 4x4 gas Denali recently, and my wife declared the ride too harsh (the tires were at 60/70, which I believe matches the door jamb label).  We then test drove a couple 1500 trucks with Max Trailering, and they were much better--no surprise there.  We could have test driven a 2500 AT4 but did not, because we don't need the off-highway capability and for us, the height of even the Denali is an issue (we are on the short side).

 

We are looking to replace a 2010 6.2L Yukon, that serves as the tow vehicle for our 7000 pound travel trailer, and then as the daily driver when we are at our destination, which is four to five months out of the year.  The Yukon has done the job, but with some very strong weight distribution needed to keep the rear axle under it's rating.   (The trailer is quite front heavy)

 

We'd like to go with a truck this time, with more capability (mainly payload) than the Yukon.  1500s with Max Trailering are almost impossible to find, while my local dealer has 2500 AT4s on the lot.

 

Would it be worthwhile to test drive a 2500 AT4  to see what the ride is like?

The HD AT4's aren't lifted like their half-ton counterparts, so the 2500 AT4 will be the same height as the Denali you test drove. The HD trucks stock height are something like 1" taller than the factory lifted half-ton AT4/Trail Boss. The ride would more than likely feel about the same between the Denali and the AT4. Something to look out for when test driving the HD trucks is to see if they have the snow plow/camper package that include the heavy duty front springs which would contribute to the harshness of the ride.

 

I feel your pain in regards to not being able to find a 1500 with max trailering. I remember when I was looking for one the dealers typically had no idea what I was talking about or just say "oh yeah it has that" with no idea whether that was true or not. I ended up just looking in the glove box of the trucks to see if it had the NHT RPO code.

[nards444]

You can change tires and maybe even shocks but a 2500 is a 2500 and will not ride as nice as a 1500.  The AT4,  Z71 off road packages are just stickers these days.  They put rancho shocks on them which are little stiffer.  But I could put you in an AT4 and a non AT4 without badging and I would doubt you could tell the difference.  

 

These all terrain advertising on trucks is way over  blown these days.  

[KARNUT]

I wouldn’t tool around in a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. When I used them I had an 100 gallon fuel tank, toolbox full of tools and a air compressor. I put just enough air in the tires to be safe and they rivaled a half ton in ride. My mother who’s 83 has been driving a 1 ton ford diesel since 2000. It has a 100 gallon fuel tank full of fuel. The roads she drives are smooth as glass. She wouldn’t have anything else. There’s a lot that goes into your ride that’s personal. Just like your choice is. My personal preference would be a challenger scat pack with a stick. It doesn’t fit my lifestyle. My trip vehicle is a CRV. I drive a Avalanche at home.